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On Thursday, April 26, 2018, a Hawai‘i State House and Senate conference committee approved S.B. 3058 S.D. 2 H.D. 2 C.D. 1 (S.B. 3058), which establishes the Hilo Community Economic District and authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) to extend or modify the terms of certain public leases, within the economic district, upon BLNR approval.

“This bill is a homerun for Hilo,” said Sen. Kaiali‘i Kahele, introducer of the bill. “It’s no secret that Banyan Drive and the Kanoelehua Industrial Area are in severe disrepair and in need of major infrastructure improvements. S.B. 3058 provides the certainty needed for the economic heart of Hilo to incentivize major infrastructure investments. This initiative is just the first step that will combine the strengths of the public sector, private enterprise, and the community to unlock the economic potential of East Hawaiʻi.”

Sen. Kahele concluded by saying, “I would like to thank my House counterpart, Rep. Chris Todd, and the House and Senate Leadership for their support in passing this bill.”

Sen. Kahele represents the 1st Senatorial District, which encompasses the greater Hilo area on the Island of Hawai‘i.

Tonight at the Hilo Innovation Center in downtown Hilo business leaders, community leaders, tenants and lessees came together to listen to the Hilo Economic Development Plan presented by Jim McCully, spokesman of the Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association (KIAA).

Nearly 100 folks crowded the center and listened to presentations by McCully, HPM Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Jason Fujmoto and later on Senator Kai Kahele dropped in to say a few words.

Jason Fujimoto opened the meeting explaining why the meeting was called together. Fujimoto stated, “I know to some that the words economic revitalization may sound big and scary but in my mind it really boils down to the definition of community and community is a place where we live, where we work, where we learn and where we play and all of the components that make that happen.”

Fujimoto turned the microphone over to Jim McCully who explained some of the history of Banyan Drive and why economic development throughout all of Hilo, especially areas like KIAA are so important.

Senator Kai Kahele was able to make the end of the meeting and he stressed how important it was for the community to stand behind all the bills introduced this session and to contact our State legislators that will hear the bills in committee. He also thanked the broad range of community members that attended and also thanked his fellow Hawaii Island Legislators, Hawaii County Council members as well as the County of Hawaii Planning Department for their support and collaboration.

Senator Kai Kahele announces the “Hilo Community Economic District” Senate Bill that he is about to introduce during the 2017 Hawaii State Legislature.

Building on the work of the Banyan Drive Hawai‘i Redevelopment Agency, this bill will expand the application and scope of their effort and move toward crafting a master plan of all state lands in the Hilo urban core, including Banyan Drive, Wailoa State Park, Kanoelehua Industrial Area, the Hilo International Airport and Pier, and other nearby state lands.

“This initiative combines the strengths of the public sector, private enterprise, and the community to conduct long-range planning and community building unlocking the economic potential of East Hawaiʻi,” said Sen. Kahele. “This is truly a game-changer for Hilo. With this kind of synergy, we can build a Hilo for the future. A Hilo that our children can thrive in.”